Guest Post: Lynn Leite

I should start by saying I am not your typical writer. I did not grow up weaned on books. I was not an avid reader in high school. I was far from being an English major. In college, I barely read the assigned text. Don't get me wrong, I read for pleasure, a book or two a year maybe. I discovered Steven king in my thirty's and that stepped up the number from 1or 2 to five or six a year.

So how did I become a writer?

Funny how these things happen. I was watching far too much television. I knew it. My husband knew it. Heck, the neighbors knew it. The 'boob tube,' as my father would have called it, was on all the time. So I gave it up. That's right. I don't watch even six hours a week anymore.

I had originally planned on giving it up for a month {my 2009 new year's resolution}. That month started off fine. Then on Jan. 2, I realized I was bored. My kids, at the school I teach at, had been wondering the halls with a particular book pressed into their hands. {No, it wasn't their math book. It was Twilight}. I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about so I bought the first book. That Saturday, I read the whole thing and went out in a snow storm to get the rest of the series.

Now you may be asking. What does this have to do with your writing? Well...

I made an off the cuff comment to my husband, who by the way is an English teacher. I told him I liked the book but could probably write a book like it having a firsthand inside look into the average teen. 29 years teaching middle school will do that to you. Anyway... he said, "So write something". And I did.

It was awful. So I rewrote it. I apologize to Stephenie Meyer. It was harder than it looked.

While doing the tenth rewrite of my first novel, I got the idea for 'Ghost Writer'. The whole story popped in my head and stayed there. The writing was like reverse reading. I knew the story, I had to just get it down on paper. Now we were cooking. My husband read it and said it was good. I won't ever forget the note of complete surprise in his voice. Okay, so I can't spell. I didn't know how to type and my punctuation is hit or miss, but I'm learning.

I recently finished my 21st novel. I have six published and more ideas in my head. I now read five or six books a week and, thanks to the eBook, I read anywhere and everywhere.

It just goes to show you people change. The books I read now are from all different genres. I write primarily what I like to call realistic paranormal fiction. I don't do werewolves and vampires. Although I love to read books with these elements, I just don't know enough about shape shifting to make it real. I write about psychics and prophetic dreams, ghosts, and karmic destiny.

My stuff is tame. Although it is romance, my eleven year old has read it and she isn't damaged for life. I just thought sharing my journey would inspire some of the couch potatoes out there to get up and read a book. Okay, you can stay on the couch but open a book. The pictures in your head are way better than the movie {again I sight Twilight as a perfect example}. While you're reading, try some of mine. They're not that expensive and they're good. Yes, I'm bragging. If you'd like more information on my work: Go to: www.paranormaltwist.com for more info or come visit my face book page Paranormal Twist